Which colors cannot be created by combining other colors?

The primary colors are the foundation of the color wheel and are unique because they cannot be created by mixing other colors together. In traditional color theory, the primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. They serve as the building blocks for all other colors. By mixing primary colors together, you can create secondary colors (which are orange, green, and purple) and further combinations lead to tertiary colors, but the primary colors themselves remain distinct and unchanged by any mixing process.

This is in contrast to tertiary colors, which are a result of mixing primary and secondary colors, and secondary colors, which are directly derived from mixing two primary colors. Cool colors are described based on their tone and temperature but do not refer to foundational color mixing principles. Understanding this hierarchy is essential in color theory, particularly in fields like hair coloring, where the accurate application and combination of colors are crucial for desired outcomes.